NBA All-Star Game 2012: 5 Things David Stern Must Do to Save the Game

Make the game more meaningful.

Major League Baseball was onto something when Bud Selig decided to add some meaning to the All-Star Game.

No, it's not a perfect solution. The winner of the MLB All-Star game gets home field advantage in the World Series, and there has been an occasion where the more successful team from the regular season has been penalized as a result.

For all the nonchalant, sloppy basketball that is played during the event on a yearly basis, adding some element of meaning for the players could improve the level of effort exerted.

Change the voting process.

The fans should absolutely have a say in the process, but just last season we had to witness Yao Ming being voted into the starting lineup despite him playing in just five games all year and being forced to retire.

Instead of fans being allowed to vote for the starters, how about voting in the reserves? The starters can be the players who really deserve to be there rather than it being a popularity contest.

There will always be snubs no matter how the fan vote goes down, but at least this way those who are having a good enough season to be given the prestigious honor of being a starter will have earned their way into the lineup.

Increase the rosters from 12 to 15.

It really doesn't make sense that the NBA has yet to do this considering team rosters can be 15 players at a maximum during the regular season.

The move to 15 would open up more roster spots for deserving players, create less backlash from the public sphere as to those who didn't make the cut and allow coaches to play those who make it fewer minutes to preserve them for the season.

It wouldn't take a lot to put this motion in movement considering the NBA dictates how many make the roster, so this is something that should warrant immediate consideration from Commissioner Stern and Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver.

Wear the usual team uniforms.

Let's be realistic about this one because it's such an easy change—get rid of the horrific All-Star uniforms.

Yes, people buy them and yes, it's increased income for the league so it's understandable why it's done, but those guys look ridiculous in the uniforms and the selection this season is embarrassing.

If the league forces mandated jerseys rather than the usual threads, they should at least be in sweet colorways like the Jamal Mashburn jersey hanging in my closet.

Global showdown.

There is a lot made about the game between the Eastern and Western Conference, but could a new format spice things up in basketball?

Some might oppose the move, but a game pitting those born in the United States against those from everywhere else in the world would certainly create for some interesting competition.

Basketball is a global sport and its impact is felt around the world, so why not draw in a greater audience from outside the U.S. by making it more appealing to a broader market?

It would take a lot of time for an idea like this to be digested by some, but it could be more than just food for thought as time moves forward.